1st chemo tomorrow!

Going through breast cancer treatment Chemotherapy
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Happy New Year Ladies!

…good riddance to 2009…what a bloody awful year!

I managed to stay awake to see in the Bells, but only just! …wanted to make sure 2009 really was over!!

Lynn & Loocie…WOW! Nearly there! What an amazing feeling that must be!..I’m excited to have only 2 left! I’ll be finished 4 weeks behind you…seems a little unfair tho, given that I started a couple before you both!! ;o) …damned my prognosis!! LOL

I’ll follow your rads journey with interest…OMG! Can you believe we’re nearly finished!? It seems like just last week Trumpet1 started this thread & we were all just starting out with Chemo!

Ok, so…it’s been a long & difficult (sometimes hysterical thanks to Chemo Brain on FEC!) journey, but looking back now, the time has flown by!..can’t wait till 29th March when I should be completely finished…fingers crossed FOREVER!!

Lynn, LOL re the eyelashes! I suddenly realised when the snow started here the reason we have them!! Have you ever had a snowflake land in your eye? OOOh…it’s not pleasant! I’m desperate for my eyelashes & eyebrows to catch up with the hair on my head! My eyebrows are a sorry sight…all sparce & tufty…it just adds to my appeal! OMG…I’m soooo attractive…I swear I’ve aged 10 years in 6 months…I’m just hoping it’s reversable after all this is over!

Anyway, I must go & brave the shops in Edinburgh & try to think of something to get my little girl for her Birthday…bad timing having her so close to Christmas!

Good Luck to everyone having the yucky stuff this week!

Hxx

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Hello my cheeky chummies, brrrrrrrrr freezing init?

I know what you mean Hazel about sparse eyebrows, I now have about four hairs above each eye, and am hanging on to them for dear life. I can’t wait to get my eyebrows and lashes back, although I still have this bloomin watery eye thingy that just wont go away. I hope it doesn’t take too many weeks for it to stop once the tax has finished. I think even if I had eyelashes at the moment I’d still look like a new born mouse!!!

I had tried false eyelashes and found the trick was to put the glue on the lash and leave it for about 30 - 45 seconds so that it got tacky, then put it on the eye from the outter side in. This seemed to work, and they stayed on quite well too (for the most part). If you do manage to get them to stick, and brave the outdoors in them I’d carry some glue about with you - just in case you need to perform some maintenance! One of mine pinged off at one end, whilst I was having chemo PMSL but was left traumatised by the whole thing!

Thanks for your good wishes Karen, really appreciate it (((*)))

Lynn, yup we’ll be swamping for the last time together, mine is Monday. I had a couple of really wobbly days and have just realised that part of it is down to feeling relief. Its just dawning on me that I’ve made it through, and even though it has taken soooo long (but at the same time flown by) it is nearly, nearly done. OMG as Trumpet1 says, there is life beyond three weeks. I was feeling somewhat cheated out of the last six months, but had a shouty moment at myself for being so self centred. There are plenty of people who loose much more of their life to all sorts of nasties; so although I ‘allowed’ myself a moment of introspection, I soon convinced myself that six months is nothing in the bigger scheme of things.

Had a lovely morning pottering and tidying about, which reminded me of the ‘nesting’ I did just before my first FEC - now I’m doing it again so that once the SEs are starting to go, at least one part of my life will be comfortable and organised. Can’t wait for all you brave, fighty ladies to be in the same position. Will be wicked for you :slight_smile: Sorry you have to have four though Hazel!

Right, gonna get on with my pottering as I have a friend coming for a brew, which’ll be lovely as I haven’t seen her since October.

Keep perky my lovelies and hang on in there, not long now :slight_smile:

Big hugs to all
Loo
xxx

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Hi everyone. Happy New Year, I hope things get better for all of us, congrats to all of you finished or nearly, I’ve got my 3rd FEC Monday,1 more then 4 TAX so well behind. How you doing Marli? Glad you’re back Looci, Helen glad you’ve perked up, I found rads OK used plenty of Aqueous cream, use it on dry patches as well its very good.By the way has anybody had sore feet sort of burning sensation by toes? Good luck to us all thinking of you all. Love Kath

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Hi everyone… pleased to hear how positive we all are heading into a new year!!

Up until now I was congratulating myself on how well My FEC was going and that I hadn’t needed to call the ‘chemo dept’ for any high temps or strange SE’s. Until last night that is… I had a nose bleed in the afternoon(whilst cooking dinner for 13!) Managed to stop it after a good while and a box of tissues later!! Everything was fine and just put it down to Christmas stress!! Then at about 10pm I sneezed and it poured again. This time hubby called out of hours at my hospital, who called my onc, who insisted we meet him at the hospital…only an hour away!!! So we abandoned our friends with all the children and off we went!! The nosebleed stopped after about 30mins! Bloods were taken and came back fine temp and blood pressure all fine. I was allowed home at 1am, with it being just a SE of the chemo!! and not to drink hot drinks of lift heavy objects or bend over too much!!
But I did find out by blood count was already high… at least the neulasta has done its job!!

Lots of love everyone, keep warm!!

Sarah

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Happy New Year Kath - I’m not doing too bad thank you, had no.3 on the 30th, so spent a quiet New Year’s Eve at home and in bed by 11.20 although did see in midnight with hubby.Hope your Christmas went well without too may SE’s. I just seem to be constantly tired, not helped by not being to get much fresh air - we still have a lot of snow in the North East and I live on a steep hill! Good luck Monday,hope all goes well.
Sarah - what a nightmare, cooking for 13 is bad enough without the added drama. I have no kids at home and am full of admiration for all who are dealing with this and children. I run out of steam about 2pm but can just lie down but with children you just have to keep going. You are all STARS ***********
Keep well - Marli x

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Hello chemo buddies

Happy New year to all of you = still more dramas and useless A&E depts but I think we are now our own experts and can teach those docs a thing or two.

Well had my second TAX on Wed (reduced by 20%) and so far has been better than the first - the one SE that I do NOT get is the aching bones (had neulasta injection Thurs) - I can only put that down to the Bpwen Therapy although I have not had a treratment for a few weeks - I must be the only one getting away with that.

I was the only one having chemo at the Private hospital I go to now - so very quiet - got my prawn sandwich and rhubarb crumble. Got needle in on first go but really painful - hugs Jane - Did not feel so sick this time - new dose suits me better. Had no sleep night before and still having hot flushes but coping better - I even went shopping on Thurs!!! to M&S and bought the FAT clothes in bigger size just to make sure I dont split my trousers.
I was threatened with being escorted from M&S by a security guard as I refused to be moved from a small queue at the till to another unseen till (third time we had queued) when the agressive supervisors decided to close down the section early! It was because I made a comment that it was a shame the supervisors do not value or speak to the customers in the same polite manner as the till assistants! Just waiting to be blacklisted lol!Apparently |I was being rude and abusive! What happened to customer service.

Helen I am so pleased that your onc has reassured you that he is there for you and that the flushes/sleeplessness will die down - hope mine do too - grerat that you have someone rooting for you - as we all are. It has given you a light at the end of the tunnel.

Come down from steroids started and I was feeling panicky and dizzy today - toenails are killing and flushes flushing.

Loocie you have to get something awful like no eye ducts!!! Sometimes you have to have a low to kick yourself back up.

My chemo brain is ridiculas - I read the thread and try to remeber everything and comment but I just can’t do it - love to you all Karen - Hazel - Lyn - Sarah hope nose bleeds subside ok.

Eyelash stories made me laugh - i’ve got some hanging about but have never been able to get them on both sides.

was hoping to spend at least first part of this year concentrating on me - but my son has broken up with his girlfriend on Boxing Day and moved back in (30) and we had so much trouble awith my nephews foster carers (long story) getting access to him at Xmas and so worried for him as he is on some nasty drugs for ADHD and Tourettes that we have decided to fight to get him with us - so I will be becoming a mum again to a 10 year old hopefully - will be a batttle though I feel - any advice appreciated.

So last TAX on 20th Jan by brother arrives back in UK from USA on 26th to stay with us for weeks - so I will have a full house of men waiting for meals etc - maybe I shoulld run away.

I also have a very difficult situation at work to deal with so a stressfree life I do not think will be on the cards for 2010.

Have rads planning at The Harley Street Clinic no less on 4 Feb (15 normal and then 8 BOOSTERS!!!). Hope to have a break the following week in time for my 53rd Birthday - how time has flown but not really bothered at moment.

Sounds a bit depressing buti am just glad to be alive and not sitting here with an undiscovered cancer tumour festering in my breast = thats how I put it all in perspective - life goes on and I am ever grateful for that.

Lots of positive things have come out of having breast cancer and although it is very hard sometimes I am still hopeful it is all worth it = plus I have met some lovely friends on this website - love to you all for a healthier 2010. xxxxxxx LynB xxxxx

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Wow Lynnb, just as well you’re not getting too many side effects what with all the goings on in your life. Good that you have the energy to face them all - especially taking on the challenge of bringing up your nephew :slight_smile: Well done you x

A house full of men…now there’s an offer, actually, thinking about it, it could be hell!!!

Still dribbling like a mad, crying woman from my eyes, but have decided to try taking some anti-inflammatories to see whether that helps. Might take some of the puffiness away which may help?

I wore my wig for the first time this morning, under a wooly beret. I thought it would be cosy and warm, and would make a nice change. I only had to drive round the corner, so as I looked right I was somewhat surprised when it all went a bit hairy. As I turned my head, my hat and wig more or less stayed where they were (they had got caught up on the hood of my coat), and i was left peering through a dense fringe! Was hilarious. I looked like something out of the Benny Hill show. Not so sure I’ll be wearing them again, but at least I got an unexpected laugh!

Have a lovely Sunday chummies, off to finish my nesting in preparation for the big day tomorrow. Did I mention I’m having my last Tax tomorrow…OMG it feels great just saying it :slight_smile:

Love ‘n’ hugs to all, keep strong hunnies
xxx

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Hi All,

Good grief Lynb - lots going on in your life at the mo - what a fab thing to do bringing up your nephew. You’ve conquered the challenge of BC and chemo and now you have another challenge to face - I think you/we are capable of anything after what we have been through.
I also felt better ie s/e’s less harsh on reduced dose of Tax too.

Sarah - hope the nose bleeds are better.
Loocie and Kath - good luck for Monday (and anyone else i have missed). Loocie what are we going to do with you - the wig thing made me laugh… OMG what I am now just trying to imagine you with wig on your head sideways, with false eyelashes hanging off being chased by Benny Hill LOL!!
Jane - shame you can’t get to Sutton for your Rads, we could have met up.
Back to feeling high again tomorrow… steroids I mean! and last Tax Tuesday - Hooray!
Love to you all
Lynn xx

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Morning Al

had my first swim in four months this morning, and boy was it good. Did 40 lengths, although mostly not front crawl, so maybe not as unfit as I thought I was. I’ve booked in for a new training programme at the gym on Wed so it’s all go for me. Shame the swimming has to stop next week while I have rads, but it’s only for 3 weeks.

Loocie, you are hilarious with your wig story. My hair is still falling out, but growing back at the same time, and the bald patch has little hairs on it now. I think the nether regions and legs might be growing again too but they have tiny white hairs so difficult to see.

I’ve started back on Weight watchers today, having put on a stone through chemo - not good. Trouble is I am now totally used to eating what I like when I like so it’s going to be a struggle. But worth it to get in some clothes again and not feel and look so awful. Doing exercise also makes me hungry which is a bit of a vicious circle.

Anyway, good luck to those of you on your final cycle, hope it goes well.

Helen.

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Hi girls,
OMG it doesn’t seem like a few minutes ago I found this post and joined you all for some info on the really scary times ahead of me. Now everyone is either finished, or nearly finished. Where did the weeks go? I can honestly say that although I have been a lot luckier than most of you girls, I could not have got through this so easily without you being there. Your constant support has been fantastic and I thank you all for that.
LynnB you havn’t got time for anymore side effects now, my goodness you are so brave, think Loocie might give you a hand with some of the men!! Fourteen and twentyone year girls are enough for me at the moment. Ten year old boys… wouldn’t know where to start!
Lynn still going to try for Rads at Sutton but was supposed to discuss it with Onc last week but he wasnt there for meeting so had to see someone else. Now got to see him day before last Tax on 20th. Yeah last chemo that sounds sooooo good.
Aches and pains have kicked in today but only mildly, feeling very tired and had swollen eye this morning but that has subsided. Really worried about getting thrush again but I am prepared this time so bring it on!! Hands are still shedding skin like there is no tomorrow and red blotches starting to appear again. Never mind, I am staying in, the log burning stove is on, can’t get near it cos of 3 Rottweiler dogs who push me out the way, plenty of books to read and of course the xmas decs to take down.
Well, good luck to those ladies having cocktails, specially if it is your last one and keep smiling everyone else, its not long now we are getting there!!!
Take care,
Love Jane xx

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I’M DONE, FININSHED WITH THE SWAMPING AND HAPPY AS A LITTLE PIGGY IN POOP

I know I still have the next couple of weeks to get through, but the thought of not having to have any more infusions is quite strange - doesn’t quite seem real at the moment. I’ve had another really long day (only been home just over an hour) and am tired and cold, but think tonight I shall sleep the sleep of the relieved…well I hope so any how! I’m intending to get into patient mode and really chill out this time - make the most of it before mental, normal life returns. Like Jane says, I don’t think I could have done it without knowing you were all out there for me/us :slight_smile:

Helen, you sound and must be delighted about your swim - how lovely to get back to something you enjoyed, must feel like you really have reached the light at the end of the tunnel?

Good luck tomorrow Lynn with you LAST chemo (well done hunny, another graduate) - hope your OH’s sore throat didn’t come to much?

Taking my hot flushes and chemo chills off to bed now for a lush sleep - I shall write and complain (not sure who to) if I have a rubbish sleep!!!

Sorry I wont be taking Wiggy out for a bit, but will keep you posted on any further antics should I be brave enough.

Lotsalove and luck to you all. Nighteee noo everyone
Loo
xxx

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Great news Loocie, You did it! Really hope side effects are not to bad this time. It must be a wonderful feeling to know you have reached the end of chemo, cant wait! My temp is on the increase so Im hoping it behaves itself. I really, really, really dont want another visit to the hospital. Sleep well.
Loads of love
Karen xxx

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Wooohoooo Loocie - another one joins the good riddance to chemo club. That’s three of us now - here’s looking forward to a new year with plenty of good things in it! And here’s to none of us having to hit the toxic cocktails ever again.

Helen.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!

LAST CHEMO YESTERDAY WOO HOO! I never thought I’d be excited about chemo but its so nice to have it over and done with. Weather permitting I should have my pre-rads appointment tomorrow for that scedule etc.

Hope everyone is doing well as can be expected.

Reemie x

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Exciting indeed…only I did it wrong! An hour and a half after having the GCSF injection, I was out cold on the lounge floor. Fortunately for me I was at my parents, although it was bad for them! I was all hot and flushed, tight wheezy chest, and my blood pressure was in my boots, so ended up being whisked off by ambulance for a night in hospital. Looks as though I’m 1 in a 1000!!! Couldn’t believe it, and only just managed to get home cos of the snow!

So, back in bed catching up on the sleep I missed last night, and just a bit miffed that my first day of freedom went a bit wobbly. Least all ok now.

Hope you’re all warm n cosy n not too frustrated at not getting out?
Lotsalove to you xxx

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Hi all

Need some advice. 7th day post chemo, had tum injecttions for 6 days (last one tomorrow) Today my temp has been going up and down the highest 37.5. Im panicking because I was admitted to hospital last chemo due to neutropenic sepsis. I have odd pains in the middle of my tum and keep going hot then cold. I have been having hot flushes so dont know if its those or something nasty. I dont know if Im winding myself up as I so dont want to go back into hospital. Please help.
Very worried Karen xxx

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Aw bless wish I could say something useful, but…if you’re at all unsure you need to do something rather than just wait. I really sympathise as I really didn’t want to go anywhere last night but couldn’t fight it. If you don’t feel right in any way you should just get your bloods checked - after all they may be fine and all that will be lost is an early night. If you leave it and your temp spikes you may be caught out in the bad weather, in the middle of the night and really unwell with it.

If you could speak with a doctor it might help to help you make up your mind too?

Do feel sorry for you as it’s a horrid position to be in. Hope you come to a conclusion soon and feel ok with it.

Lotsaluck
xxx

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Hi All,

WHOOO HOO ME TOO! Had my last swamping yesterday… have joined the good riddance chemo club!! Heavy stomach today, feels like someone has put a brick in it but other than that ok so far, just waiting for the other side effects to kick in on Friday.

Loocie - that was really bad luck. Was that the first of those injections you have had, I can’t remember. Glad you’re back home with the company and help from your parents. Keep warm and snugly.

Helen - couldn’t believe how you managed to do 40 lengths of swimming after all that chemo. How long did you have to wait before you could go swimming? I love swimming but don’t think I could do as much as you. You have given me some encouragement to get back to it. Well done! I also need to as I have put on 1/2 stone…Yikes, got to get it off this year.

Karen - Hope you are ok. It was just to let you know that on my first Tax of 100% (last two 80%) I had a swinging temp for 11 days and like you it never went above 37.5, just hovered there. I also felt still quite fluey at that point but they said that as I hadn’t got any other symptoms and my temp was not above 38 then I could just wait and see. But I know other hospitals use the marker of 37.5. Although my symptoms have been better on 80% tax I have now (like Helen) developed chills and hot flushes - seemed to have got worse with each cycle. But I think that is the menopause symptoms for me and not anything else. Monday night before chemo I was doing a Helen - I didn’t sleep at all, the duvet was off and on, one minute I was chilled and then the next having a hot flush, all night long. Having said all this Loocie’s advice to get it checked out may be more appropriate. Hope things improve.

Good luck to anyone swamping this week (weather permitting!) and hugs to all.

Lynn x

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Hey All!

Well done to everyone who can now proudly wear the ‘I survived Chemo’ T-Shirts!! It’s a hard & horrible road & you’ve reached the end…Congratulations!! I’ll hopefully be joining you 4 weeks today!! YAY!

Loocie…please tell me that was the first of those injections you had!..otherwise I’ll be in a panic in case I keel over next time I have one!! I bet that was really scary…especially for your poor parents! I’d imagine you were out cold & not too fussed at the time ;o)
Glad you’re okay now & ready to enjoy a chemo free life!

Karen…How’s your temp doing?

I seem to have a fluctuating temperature as a SE of TAX. I was admitted after my first cycle as my neuts were low & they claim I was neutropenic…altho my temp never went above 37.6 the whole time I was in & they couldn’t find an infection!..although they hammered me with a nasty IV antibiotic anyway!..I swore that wouldn’t be repeated!

This cycle my temp went as high as 39 (had nealasta inj this time) & I got the most horrendous palpatations across my stomach, chest & throat if I done anything! After my first nightmare I was told by the chemo nurses to call the onc registrar if my temp goes towards the 38 mark to get their advice. They arranged for me to go into my local hospital & had my bloods checked & some cultures taken & I was given a paracetamol!..the Dr from the hosp wanted to admit me solely on my temp, but I made them check with the onc (which I should have done the first time!)and the onc said she was happy for me to go home & to keep a close eye on my temp. It hovered around the 37.8 mark for a few days (I took a single paracetamol for a couple of days too, as, again they couldn’t find an infection)then my temp settled as the fatigue started to lift.
I’ve kinda resigned myself now that this will probably be repeated with my next 2 doses of Tax too, but I’m not so shy in sticking up for myself & not just taking what the Dr’s on the wards say without checking with the specialists first!

I would say, don’t leave your temp & pains too long. Even call your oncolgy dept for some advice if you’re nervous about being admitted to hospital again & see if they can get you checked out. It’s just not worth the risk of leaving it!

Good Luck with whatever you decide :o)

…and good luck to anyone venturing out in the cold for Chemo this week xxx

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Hi all, hope you’re doing ok? Hope you’re feeling better Karen? Look forward to seeing you back here.

The injection that toppled me was the Third Neulasta! I had no real side effects from it the first couple of times, but thinking back there were some warning signs. The first time I had the jab I coughed a couple of times, and the second I flushed a bit, but they were such transitory episodes I didn’t think they were relevant…until now! So girls, if you go purple and stay purple for about ten mins, get any shortness of breath or wheezing then start thinking about getting some help! And, if you’ve had any cough or flushing with the previous doses check with your onc before having the next one, just to be on the safe side.

Feel pooped today and am staying in bed til Feb just to get some rest and build myself up. I really thought I’d be jiggng about with excitement this week, not laying in my pit still feeling like a patient!!! Anyone else hate the feeling of being a patient, yukky!

Will have to wait for the chemo free life feeling for a bit longer, maybe get the SEs from this dose outta the way first? Hey ho!

Kip is calling…night night xxx